Artis Royce shook his head. "The man protecting the Lady did not tell me if His Highness has any demands." The Lord of Runestone fell into contemplation. Prince Draezell would not have sent men to the Vale without reason—he must have had a purpose. But no one knew what that purpose was.
"No matter what Prince Draezell intends," Joffrey Arryn sighed, having reached his own conclusion, "we cannot stop him. He saved Lady Jeyne's life, as well as mine, and ensured the survival of House Arryn's bloodline. For that alone, whatever he asks of us in the future, we must accept."
The heir to the Eyrie gazed at the severed head of his former rival, his expression complex. He remained silent for a long, long time.
Peaceful days always passed swiftly. Draezell still made sudden visits across his domain, bringing either Rhaegor or Aegon with him to castles, estates, or other parts of the kingdom. Valar, aside from caring for his wife and daughter, regularly rode his dragon to patrol trade routes alongside the Silver Fleet. Among the three brothers, only Rey's life saw changes with Rhaena's return. He often took her flying on dragonback and made more frequent trips to the Dragonpit.
Morning did not grow as fast as other great dragons. Even now, it was not as large as Viserys's Aegarax or Zarafax. However, since it hatched earlier, it had been sent to the Dragonpit sooner. Aegarax, on the other hand, was unusually thickset, making it appear larger than Morning at a glance. Compared to Zarafax, Aegarax even seemed bulkier. Neither Aegon nor Viserys had noticed that Zarafax—like Shadowmare, Starsong, and Candlelight—was growing at an exceptional rate. In fact, they all grew faster than the dragons hatched by House Targaryen. It was more likely that Aegon's Stormcloud and Viserys's Aegarax also benefited from faster growth at Dragonstone, causing the two Targaryens to overlook this detail.
"Viserys, is this the Dragonpit?" Larra Rogare asked curiously, peering at the deep chasm before her.
Viserys patted Aegarax's thick neck and whispered a few words to his dragon before stepping forward to answer his betrothed. "Yes. However, I'm sorry, Larra. Great-Uncle Draezell set strict rules—only members of House Vaelarys and royals who house their dragons here may enter the Dragonpit. You will have to wait here."
Larra nodded, understanding her place, and obediently retreated behind Lady Laera after giving the Dragonpit a single glance. Draezell, seeing how well Larra understood her position, shifted his gaze away from her.
"Viserys, we're sending Aegarax and Zarafax into the Dragonpit today. You know what comes next, don't you?"
Viserys nodded. He was well aware of House Vaelarys's customs regarding the Dragonpit. Wild dragons could be left to their own devices—Vermithor kept them in check. But dragons bonded to riders had to be tended to daily by their dragonlords to strengthen their connection.
"Good." Draezell's gaze settled on Aegarax, who was not nestled beside his own rider but instead stuck close to Zarafax. He sighed and spoke in High Valyrian. "Aegarax. Zarafax. Come."
Both young dragons froze and turned toward him. When they met the deep violet of Draezell's eyes, they hesitated only briefly before slowly crawling toward him. Before them loomed the abyss of the Dragonpit.
"Down," Draezell commanded.
Aegarax let out a few guttural growls toward Zarafax. Viserys, able to grasp simple meanings from his bond, understood what the young dragon was saying.
"something terrifying inside."
After its warning, Aegarax boldly glided downward. Zarafax, gleaming like a blue gemstone, let out something akin to a sigh, covering its face with its wings for a moment before spreading them wide and leaping down after.
"Uncle Draezell, aren't we following them?" Viserys asked with a hint of concern.
Draezell chuckled and shook his head. "No need." He closed his eyes, sending a silent message to his old friend Vermithor below, instructing it to receive the newcomers.
"The dragons of the Dragonpit will welcome them." Draezell ruffled Viserys's hair with a small smile. "Do not think Aegarax and Zarafax have a special bond. In this age, where dragons are in decline, every single one is a precious treasure—especially rare breeds like Aegarax, which hold particular significance. Our ancestors lost too much knowledge in the Doom."
Indeed, both House Vaelarys, which had preserved much of its tradition, and House Targaryen, whose legacy had suffered strange disruptions, had glaring gaps in their understanding of dragons. The Vaelarys lineage retained the means to establish order in the Dragonpit and the magical techniques for hatching eggs, but they had lost crucial knowledge regarding dragon sex and reproduction. Rey, after regaining access to dragons, focused heavily on recovering these lost secrets.
The close bond between Vermithor and Silverwing was one such area of study. The interactions between Aegarax and Zarafax were another. No one knew why their behavior resembled courtship rituals seen in humans.
The Dragonpit.
To young dragons, it was like a vast, shadowy labyrinth—immense and oppressive. Unlike the bright, warm dragon nurseries of the Dragonpit Tower, it was dark and cavernous. Yet, despite its gloom, there was an undeniable sense of comfort.
Aegarax cautiously shielded Zarafax behind him, carefully choosing a direction and slowly crawling forward. The sturdy young dragon moved inch by inch, while Zarafax did not rely entirely on Aegarax for protection. He raised his head, and his long "dragon whiskers" floated gently in the air, as if the two slender tendrils could sense something as well.
Aegarax had barely crawled a few steps when a deep, rumbling roar shook the entire dragon lair. He immediately spread his thick wings, shielding Zarafax completely behind him. Aegarax did not understand the meaning of the roar, but he knew one thing—whatever had made that sound was far beyond his ability to contend with. He cautiously glanced around but saw no other dragons, though his nose was filled with the thick scent of his own kind.
With no other choice, Aegarax continued crawling forward with Zarafax.
What he failed to notice was the massive, dark green dragon head that slowly withdrew into a cave above. Inside, Vermax, Shadowmare, and Stormcloud huddled together, taking turns peeking at Aegarax and Zarafax as if watching a grand adventure unfold.
"Sapphire... pretty crystal... thickheaded fool," Vermax muttered in a low growl. Shadowmare and Stormcloud let out deep, indistinct growls in response.
"Up ahead... the singer... has tentacles... a lesson... no bronze," Shadowmare growled a few more times before turning to Stormcloud with another low growl. Stormcloud seemed to understand and nudged Shadowmare's skin—tougher than Valyrian steel—with his sharp horn before turning toward a passageway.
"Roar!"
A sharp cry suddenly rang out as a gray blur streaked past the two young dragons. Aegarax immediately swung his thick neck and unleashed a blast of golden-yellow dragonfire like a sword, narrowly grazing the massive dragon shadow that was larger than both younglings combined. The flames struck the stone wall, leaving a visible scorch mark even on the solid black rock.
Candlelight blinked his bright, watery eyes. He wasn't particularly eager to play the role of intimidating the newly arrived hatchlings, but none of the others were suitable. Morning was barely larger than the two new dragons, and in terms of size, he was actually smaller. Aurorae was completely non-confrontational and, having just laid a clutch of dragon eggs, was reluctant to even go for a flight. That was nothing like him—despite having laid five more eggs over time, he still loved soaring and hunting. As for Starsong and Stormcloud, they were simply too massive; to the newly hatched dragons, they would be overwhelming threats. That left only Candlelight as the best candidate.
Candlelight roared at Aegarax, dodging another blast of dragonfire. He could feel that, for some reason, the young dragon's flames burned even hotter than his own—a potential threat. So he retaliated with his own breath, forcing the two younglings to scatter in panic. But Zarafax responded with his own blue fire. Unlike Aegarax' unusual flames, Zarafax' breath was far less potent and was easily swatted away by one of Candlelight's tendrils.
"Hatchlings... lair... obey bronze... or perish."
Aegarax roared and attempted to take flight, but Candlelight's descending tendrils coiled around his wings and neck in an unnervingly precise manner. The tendrils slithered over his body, effortlessly lifting the young dragon off the ground.
However, Aegarax was much heavier than Candlelight had anticipated—just as he lifted him, he nearly faltered under the weight. Realizing he couldn't fly, Aegarax panicked. His golden-yellow flames flared, attempting to burn the tendrils, but they dodged with an eerie dexterity. Desperately, Aegarax tried to bite the tendrils wrapped around his neck.
Unfortunately, his neck was too short—he couldn't reach.
Candlelight observed the struggling dragon, then chose not to unleash his gray dragonfire. Instead, he extended a razor-sharp talon, curved like an eagle's, and scraped it against Aegarax' scales. To his surprise, he barely left a mark, though the young dragon let out a pained howl.
Seeing Aegarax being taken away, Zarafax anxiously circled in place before making a decision. He knew his flames were useless against Candlelight, yet he took flight anyway, biting down on one of the tendrils wrapped around Aegarax.
His teeth couldn't pierce it.
But he didn't let go.
Candlelight growled in irritation as he carried both young dragons into the air. Aegarax, touched by Zarafax' unwavering effort, struggled even harder.
Then he noticed Zarafax, trembling slightly, finally releasing the tendril—but not out of fear. Instead, the sapphire-colored hatchling bravely flew up to Candlelight's face, blocking his path forward.
It was only then that Aegarax realized where they had been taken.
Vermithor lay coiled in a massive cavern above. The ancient dragon's head alone was larger than the two newly hatched dragons combined. The old beast glared fiercely at them. Aegarax glanced at Zarafax, gave a futile wriggle, then glared back just as fiercely.
From another cavern above, a pair of massive silver wings emerged, their owner watching them calmly.
Then Starsong, Stormcloud, and Aurorae slowly crept into view. Shadowmare and Vermax peered out from another tunnel, while Morning nervously glanced around, letting out a few uncertain hisses.
"The hatchlings… obey the bronze flesh… resist and die."
Then, it withdrew into the newly built nest.
Each great dragon was larger than the two hatchlings. Candlelight loosened its tendrils, sending Aegarax rolling across the ground before it scrambled up, positioning itself protectively in front of Zarafax. Facing the imposing dragons, the might of Vermithor, and the meat barrels held by two old Silverguards, Aegarax remained on high alert.
Zarafax's two tendrils lightly brushed against Aegarax's head. The sapphire-colored hatchling let out a low growl, then slowly lay down, lowering its head.
"Obey… crystal… safety."
Aegarax cautiously observed the dragon group before slowly mimicking Zarafax's movement. It spread its wings and lowered its head, though not without casting a glare at Candlelight before doing so.
However, Candlelight's enormous, almost absurdly large watery eyes took up nearly half its face, making it impossible for Aegarax to tell whether it was being mocked or not. Left with no choice, it watched as Candlelight casually flew back to Starsong's side, letting out a series of sharp and grating cries.
Starsong's response, in contrast, was so melodious that it caused even the surrounding dragons to relax slightly.
Seeing the two hatchlings submit, Vermithor did not hesitate. It let out a low growl, which, by draconic standards, was quite gentle. Upon receiving Vermithor's approval, the two aged Silverguards finally upended the meat barrels onto the ground, allowing the two hatchlings to cautiously inch forward. Only when they saw that none of the surrounding great dragons moved did they feel safe enough to begin tearing into the roasted meat.
Vermithor then turned to Starsong and let out a few deep growls.
"song… crystal… sapphire… responsible for food."
Starsong lowered its head and let out a pleasant-sounding roar toward the two hatchlings. The meaning was simple—"Follow."
The two hatchlings devoured the meat at lightning speed before exchanging a glance. Zarafax seemed indifferent, unfurling its wings and flying toward Starsong. Aegarax, on the other hand, was still somewhat unwilling, shooting another glare at Candlelight beside Starsong before reluctantly following after Zarafax.
Satisfied, Vermithor retreated into its cavern, returning to sleep.
Sensing the message relayed by his old companion, Draezell nodded. "We can head back now. Aegarax and the others have successfully integrated into the dragon lair."
As he walked up the stairs, Viserys was already contemplating when he would visit his dragons each day.
King's Landing, Red Keep.
Daemon clutched his stomach, looking at Grand Maester Munkun, who sighed deeply. Then, he suddenly chuckled.
"Grand Maester, tell me the truth—how much time do I have left?"